The attendant shook his head and continued, "We need not select a mage. We can send another kind of spellcaster instead. As for taking up residence in Sunfury Spire, Master Oaks, you can certainly arrange for the envoy to cooperate with Patrick in the name of our clan or the Mages' Association, whether in commerce or magic. You can simply give verbal instructions about anything that requires attention. We will make no mention whatsoever of the Silvermoon Council's adviser. Once someone has been sent, the other masters will have little to say."
Master Oaks's eyes lit up, and a knowing smile appeared on his face. "A fine suggestion. It accords perfectly with the decision of our colleagues on the Council."
Seeing Master Oaks smile, the attendant grew more confident. "We can select Priestess Liadrin as our representative to Sunfury Spire. As a retainer of our Dawnblade, Liadrin can better represent the clan in pursuing cooperation with Patrick."
"That way, we will have complete control over contact with the Sun Temple. Moreover, as a Holy Light spellcaster, Liadrin will provide no help with Patrick's arcane studies, nor will she advance to master and escape the clan's control. We can have Liadrin slowly win over and assimilate Arcanist Patrick. That way, our Dawnblade will indirectly bring the Sun Temple under our control."
"In the future, perhaps we can offer Patrick some of the privileges enjoyed by the high-ranking clans, or arrange a marriage alliance directly with the Cabrolon family. That would give us a chance to take Patrick into the clan as a follower. Our Dawnblade would gain another exceptionally gifted mage and would certainly have a greater say on the Council."
The attendant's words left Master Oaks deeply gratified. His colleagues on the Council would surely never imagine that he was